Stamp rotating mechanism



June 12, 1951 R. F. SMITH, JR

STAMP ROTATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 4, 1948 ROBERT F SMITHJR INVENTOR ATTORNEYX Patented June 12, 195i TENT OFFICE STAMP ROTATING MECHANISM Robert F. Smith, J12, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 4, 1948, Serial No. 6,152

1 The present invention relates to a photographic printing apparatus, and more particularly to a mechanism for operating a printing stamp for applying identifying numerals or symbols on a print during the printing operation.

' As is well known, it is common practice in photographic printing studios to stamp an order number on an envelope containing the customers negatives. In order that the various prints of the customer may be properly assembled after printing, the printing machine is provided with a printing stamp which is set to correspond with the order number so that all prints for a customer will. be given the proper numerals. Each time the printing platen is operated to make a print, a number is then applied to the back of each print. However, before I each printing operation, the stamp is inked, and this inking is done while the platen is in its elevated or non-printing position, as-is well known. In passing from the inking to the'print-ing position, it is necessary to rock or turn the printing stamp so that when the platen reaches the printing position, the stamp will be arranged so as to impart the numerals to the backiof the print. Thus, each print will have appliedthereto a number identical with the order numbenthe advantages of which are apparent. en a new order number is received, the stamp is" ndexed to bring the proper number into position. 7

The present invention provides a novel and simple mechanism for moving the stamp relative to the platen. When the platen is lowered, the stamp control mechanism engages an actuating member which imparts a rocking movement to the stamp in one direction to bring the latter to a position to print the numbers on the back of the print. A yieldable arrangement is provided so as to take up the shock due to the engagement of the control mechanism with the actuating member and also to compensate for tolerances of the various parts. When, however, the platen is elevated, the control mechanism is disconnected automatically and completely from the actuating member. A tensioned coil spring then serves to rock the stamp to position the latter to bring the proper numerals intoengagement with the inking pad. Thus, the stamp is alternately moved from the inking to the printing position.

The invention has, therefore, as its principal object, a simple and novel moving mechanism for the stamp to position the latter accurately either in its inking or its printing position.

A still further object of the invention is the provisionof separate and independent means for 8 Claims. (Cl. 101 80) moving or rocking the stamp in opposite directions.

Yet another object of the invention is the pro-' vision of stop members to limit the movementof the stamp.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an actuating member for moving the stamp to stamping position which is spring-' controlled to take up the shock caused by en gagement of the parts, and also to compensate for the tolerances of the various members.

To these and other ends, the invention resides Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the relation of the parts when the apparatus has completed its cycle of operation.

Similar reference numerals throughout the various views indicate the same parts. 7

The stamp-moving mechanism of the present invention is used in connection with a powerdriven platen, although it is equally well adapted for a manually-controlled platen. In the present invention, the movable platen ll is carried on a pair of arms i2 secured to a drive shaft 13 so that each time the shaft is rocked, the platen will be actuated. An electric motor or other source of power, not shown, is connected to the shaft 53 to operate the latter. A timer and timer switch, not shown, are connected into the circuit of the motor so that when the timer switch is closed the parts will go through one cycle of op.- eration, starting from the inoperative of static position shown in Fig. 2, to the inking position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, then into the printing position shown in full lines in Fig. 1. After printing time has elapsed, the platen and stamp are again returned to the initial or starting position shown in Fig. 2 where they will remain until the timer switch is again closed to start another cycle. In the printing position, the platen l I cooperates with a fixed panel 20 to clamp a negative and a print therebetween, in a manner well known to those in the art. As the motor, timer and switch do not constitute a part-oi the present invention and are 3 not necessary to a full and complete understanding thereof, they are not illustrated or described.

The printing stamp I4 may be of any suitable or well-known construction as it does not per se constitute a part of the present invention. This stamp is secured to a shaft i5 suitably journaled in one or both of the arms l2. The outer end of the shaft i5 has secured thereto a gear 16 which meshes with the gear I? carried by a stub shaft 13 mounted on the adjacent arm 12, as best shown in Fig. 1.

When the mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 2 for the beginning the operating cycle and the timing switch is closed, the shaft l3 driven or rotated so that the platen ll first will be elevated to the inking position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, and the numerals of the stamp l will. be brought into ink-applying relation with an inking pad I?) carried by a bracket 2|, secured in any suitable and wellknown manner to any stationary part of the apparatus. In the inking position, the numerals of the stamp are directed towards the left or away from the platen i I. When, however, the stamp is in position for stamping the print, the inked numerals must be directed downwardly or towards the panel 20 so that the stamp may apply the numerals to the print. Therefore, the stamp must be rotated or rocked relative to the platen to approximately 180 degrees in moving from the inking position to the printing position, as will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 1.

It will now be apparent from the full line drawing of Fig. 1, that if the gear H has a clockwise rotation imparted thereto, the gear I 6 and shaft 15 will be rotated in a counter clockwise direction to move the stamp 14 similarly relative to the platen ll. Such rotation, obviously must be just sufficient to position the stamp in the relation shown in full lines in Fig. 1 so that when the platen and panel are in cooperating relation, the stamp will print the proper numerals or symbols on the back of the paperprint. When the stamp has been rotated or rocked into stamping position, a stop, to be later described, arrests the rotation of the gears 16 and I! and shaft 45 to retain the stamp in proper relation relative to the print. It is also apparent that when the gear H is rotated counterclockwise, by means to be later described, the gear I6 and shaft IE will be turned in a clockwise direction, to rock the stamp relative to the platen. A stop limits such rotation to position the stamp in the relation shown in Fig. 2, so that when the timing switch is again closed to start a cycle, the platen will be moved to its upper position to bring the stamp again into proper inking relation with the inking pad.

Obviously, the gear I! may be manually rotated, but it is preferred to provide means for rotating the gear I! automatically whenever the platen is moved. In addition, the rotation of the gear I! is such as to position the stamp in its proper relation to the platen. In order to move the gear I! automatically and in the proper direction, the present invention provides a member 22 pivoted at 23 on a stationary part or bracket 24 of the apparatus. The upper surface of the member 22 is formed to provide a cam 25 of the shape shown in the drawing. The gear I! has eccentrically mounted thereon a laterally projecting roller 26 adapted to engage the cam surface 25 when the platen H is moved to its printing position, as shown in full lines in Fig. l.

. nt the beginning of the operating cycle,,t he

parts are in their inoperative or static posh tion, shown in Fig. 2, wherein the roller 26 is positioned adjacent but out of actual contact to the cam surface 25. However, upon initiation of the operating cycle, by closing the timing switch, the shaft i3 is rotated or rocked in a counter-clockwise direction to move the platen H, with the stamp i4 and its operating mechanism, to the dotted line position shown in Fig. l to bring the stamp into inking relation with the pad i9. It will be seen that when the parts are in this position, the roller 26 is moved clear of the cam surface 25, and the stamp and its operating mechanism are disconnected completely from the cam. However, after the inking operation, the shaft 13 is rotated in a clockwise rotation to move the platen I I toward the stationary panel 26. During such movement the stamp remains stationary relative to the platen until such time as the roller 26 finally engages the cam surface 25. Further downward movement of the platen will then cause the roller 26 to ride or move to the right along the cam surface 25. Such movement will impart a clockwise rotation to gear I! to rotate gear I6 and shaft l5 in a counter-clockwise direction to shift the stamp from the dotted to the full-line position in Fig. 1. When the stamp finally reaches its full-line position, further rotation of the gears and shaft [5 is arrested to retain the stamp in its printing position.

In order to arrest the rotation of the stamp at the proper point, the present invention provides a stop member 30 formed on the lower end of a rod 31 which is threaded in a boss formed on the near arm I2. The upper end of 3| carries a nut 32. The stop 30 is adjusted vertically relative to the platen and is then looked in adjusted position by the nut 32. The member 39 may, therefore, be deemed as a fixed stop because once the adjustment is made the position of the member remains fixed. The end of the stamp shaft l5 has mounted thereon a disk 33 formed with diametrically-arranged radial shoulders 34 and 35. When the shaft I5 is rotated, as above described, to move the stamp to the printing position, the. disk 33 will be rotated so as to bring the shoulder 34 into engagement with fixed stop 38 to limit or arrest further rotation of the gears i6 and I1 and shaft l5 to retain the stamp in proper position, as shown in full lines in Fig. l.

As mentioned above, the member 22 is pivoted at 23 on the stationary part 24. However, in order that the cam surface 25 will be retained in the path of the roller 26, the member 25 is springpressed in a counter-clockwise direction. To secure this result, a lug 36 is secured to the part 25 and projects therefrom and is provided with a head 37 spaced from the left vertical wall 38 of part 24. The lug 36 extends loosely through an opening formed in a flange 39 on the member 22. A coil spring 48 is positioned between the head 3'! and flange 39 and tends to move the flange to the right towards the wall 38 to rock the member 22 in a counter-clockwise direction about pivot 23 to position cam 25 in the path of the roller 26. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2 and the roller 26 is just out of contact with the cam 25, the member 22 is moved to its extreme upper position, as shown dotted in Fig. 1, at which time the flange 39 is in engagement with the wall 38 to limit further movement of the member 22. Now as the shaft I3 is moved in a clockwise direction to move the stamp I4 from the inking to the printing position, the roller moves downwardly and finally engages the cam surface 25. Such engagement will develop a substantial impact on the cam surface 25 and member 22. This impact may cause the member 25 to rotate momentarily in a clockwise direction about pivot 23 against the action of spring 40 to absorb such impact and to cause the cam surface to move downwardly slightly to its lower position shownv in Fig. 1 After this initial impact, the spring so returns the cam surface to its upper position and holds the cam in engagement with the roller 26. By thus absorbing the shock of such impact, by means of the spring 40, the possibility of broken parts is eliminated, as will be apparent The roller 26 then rides along cam 25 to rock gear IT in a clockwise direction, as mentioned above.

A coil spring 45 is wrapped around the stub shaft [8 and has one end secured to the gear H, and the other end is anchored to a stud as carried by the rear arm I2. The spring is wrappedin such a way that when the gear if is rotatedin a clockwise direction by means of the engagement of the roller 26 and the cam 25, the spring will be wound or tensioned. When the shoulder 34 finally engages the fixed stop spring 45 will be fully tensioned. At this time the gears l6 and Ill, and shaft 15 will be locked against rotation so as to form with the platen and its supporting mechanism a rigid locked member or lever, one end of which rests on the spring pressed member 22. If the parts are all made exactly to size, such locking will occur at the precise moment at which the platen H has moved into its cooperating relation with the fixed panel 20. However, due to the necessary tolerances'of the parts, this locking may occur slightly in advance of the complete movement of the platen I i. In such an event, the parts, acting as a lever, will press downwardly on the member 22 eccentrically of its pivot 23 to move the mem ber 22 j'slightly in a clockwise direction about its pivot and against the action of the spring Mi. thus affording a yieldable connection which will effectively prevent damage to or breakage of the parts. As the member 22 is thus rocked, the spring will be tensioned and will cooperate with the fixed stop 30 to hold the gears and stamp against rotation to retain the stamp in its,

printing position. Thus, the member 22 may be considered broadly as a yieldable stop cooperating with the fixed stop 30. The spring 40 is stronger than the spring so as to prevent the latter from rotating the parts in a reverse direction, forreasons to be later described. While the member 22 will move momentarily upon the impact therewith of the roller 26, during the bal-' ance of the cycle, the member 22 is held by spring 40. Therefore, the member 22 may be considered as a substantially fixed member.

' After the printing time has elapsed, the driving-means again becomes operative to rotate the shaft l3 in a counterclockwise direction to move the platen from the full-line position in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2, at which point the shaft stops to arrest further movement of the platen to end the cycle of operation. The platen will then remain in the position shown in Fig. 2 until the timing switch is again closed to initiate the next cycle. It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the stamp i4 is out of contact with the pad l9 and the. roller 26 is out of contact with the cam 25, thus'eliminating'any pressure between the parts. When the platen is moved from the full-line position shown in Fig. l to the position shown m Fig. ame roller as will use to the no: along" the cam surface 2'5. During this'movementjfthe' tensio'ned spring 45 will retain the roller 26 in contact with the cam surface 25, and Will 'gradually unwind to rotate the gear I! 'in' a counter.

clockwise direction. such rotation will rotate the gear 16 and the shaft l5 in a clockwise direction to move the stamp 1'4 to the position shown in Fig. 2 so that it will engage the pad 19 when the laten is again moved to its uppermost position,

as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. "When the stamp finally reaches the position shown in Fig. '2, the shoulder 35 of disk 33 finally engages the fixed stop 30 to limit further movement of the stamp. At this time, the roller 26 'has Tbe'en moved so as to just clear the cam 25, and the elfective in rotating shaft liand stamp l' i' in a clockwise direction. This latter rotation is so-- cured by reason of the tensioned coil spring #5" which operates independently of the spring pressedmember 2 2. Thus, separate an-(Lindependent members serve to rock the partsin' op posite directions. 7 I w The cycle of operation maybe briefly de 'ribe'das follows: At the start of "the cycle, th

ing the timing switch, the drive means islgenergized to rock shaft -13 in 'a counter-clockwise d rection to move the stamp 14 "into inkin role-- so that the shaft how rotates in 'a'clockwisi dii'ec tion to move the platen 'll towards the I stationary panel 20. During this movement, the;

roller 26 is brought downwardly and finall into,

engagement --with the cam surface it to? impartv clockwise and counter-clockwiserotation to gears IT and 16 respectively, to rock the-"stamp I4 re1a-.,

tive to the platen 1| from its inking to itspriht? ing position. At'tha-ttime, the shoulder 34 on gages the fixed sto 30 t limit further rocking movement of the stamp. During the "rotation of' the gear I1, coil spring 45 is wound up or 'teh-' sioned. The platen is now in cooperating relation with the panel to "hold the negative and print in position for printing. At the comple tion of the printing time, the drive means for the shaft I5 is again energized to rotate the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction to move the platento the position shown in Fig. 2, 'whichcompletes the operating cycle. During the movement of the platen to the position shown in Fig. 2, the roller 26 rides to the left along cam 25 to allow the'tensioned coil spring 45 to unwind gradually to rotate the gears 11 and loin counter-clockwise and clockwise directions respectively. Such rotation moves the stamp I4 from the printing position to the inoperative position shown in Fig. 2 and ready to start the next cycle upon again closing the timing switch.

The present invention thus provides a novel stampoperating mechanism. Separate and in-- dependent means are utilized for rotating the printing stamp in opposite directions relative to the movement of the platen. A spring-pressed cam moves the stamp in one direction and cooperates with a fixed stop to place the stamp-hr arts are in the position "shown "in Fig. 2. Upon c 05- printing position, In addition, the spring-pressed oani"'cushions the part, compensates for tolerances of the part, and allows for slightovertravel of the platen.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. This application is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a photographic printing apparatus formed with a printing panel and a platen movable to and from cooperating relation with said panel, of a printing stamp rockably mounted on said platen, a gear train carried by said platen and operatively connected to said stamp, a substantially stationary member carried by said apparatus and adapted to rotate said train when said platen is moved to cooperating relation with said panel to rock said stamp into printing relation with said panel, and means independent of said member for moving said stamp relative to said platen when the latter is moved out of cooperating relation with said panel.

2. In a photographic printing apparatus formed with a printing panel and a platen movable to and from cooperating relation with said panel, of a printing stamp rockably mounted on said platen, a gear train carried by said platen and operatively connected to said stamp, a substantiall stationary member carried by said apparatus and adapted to rotate said train when said platen is moved to cooperating relation with said panel to rock said stamp into printing relation with said panel, a stop member carried by said platen, means on said gear train adapted to engage-said stop to limit the rocking of said stamp relative to said platen to position said stamp for printing, and means independent of said member for moving said stamp relative to said platen when the latter is moved out of cooperating relation with said panel.

3. In a photographic printing apparatus formed with a printing panel and a platen movable to and from cooperating relation with said panel, of a printing stamp rockably mounted on said platen, a gear train carried by said platen and operatively connected to said stamp, a substantiallystationary member carried by said apparatus and adapted to rotate said train when said platen is moved to cooperating relation with said panel to, rock said stamp into printing relation with said panel, a fixed stop member carried by said platen, means on said train adapted to engage said stop to limit the rocking of said stamp when said platen is moved into cooperating relation with said panel to position said stamp forprinting, a yieldable stop carried by said apparatus and cooperating with the fixed stop to position said stamp, and means independent of said member for moving said stamp relative to said platen when the latter is moved out of cooperating relation with said panel.

4. In a photographic printing apparatus formed with a printing panel and a platen movable to and from cooperating relation with said panel, of a printing stamp rockably mounted on said platen, a gear train carried by said platen and cperatively connected to said stamp, a cam member carried by said apparatus and adapted to engage and imparting a rotative movement in one direction to said gear train when said platen is moved to cooperating relation with saidpanel to rock said stamp relative to said platen tomove said stamp to printing position, means on said platen for limiting the rocking movement of said stamp, said train being disengageable from said cam when said platen is moved out of cooperating relation with said panel, and means independent of said cam for then rotating said gear train in the opposite direction to move said stamp out of printing relation with said platen.

5. In a photographic printing apparatus formed with a printing panel and a platen movable to and from cooperating relation with said'panel, of a printing stamp rockably mounted on said platen, a gear train carried by said platen and operatively connected to said stamp, a cam member rockably mounted on said apparatus, means for positioning said cam so as to engage and rotate said gear train in one direction when said platen is moved to cooperating relation with, said panel to rock said stamp relative to said platen and to printing position, means'on said platen Ior limiting the rocking movement of said stamp to position the latter, said train being disengageable from said cam when said platen is moved out of cooperating relation with said panel, and spring means associated with said gear train for actuating the latter to move said stamp out of stamping position when said platen is moved away from said panel. I

6. In a photographic printing apparatus formed with a printing panel and a platen movable to and from cooperating relation with said panel, a shaft journalled on said platen, a printing stamp carried by said shaft, a gear on said shaft, a second gear carried by said platen and meshing with said first gear, a roller eccentrically mounted on said second gear and projecting laterally therefrom, a cam member rockably mounted on said apparatus, spring means for rocking said cam member on said apparatus to position said member in the path of said roller as said platen is. moved to cooperating relation with said panel, means for limiting the positioning movement of said cam member, the engagement of said roller with said cam serving to impart a rotation in one direction to said gears to rock said stamp relative to said platen, a coil spring tensioned by the rotation of said gears, and a stop' for limiting the rotation of said gears to position said stamp in a printing relation with said panel, the movement of said platen away from said panel disconnecting said roller from said cam to render said coil spring effective to rock said stamp out of printing position.

7. In a photographic printing apparatus formed with a printing panel and a platen movable to and from cooperating relation with said panel, a shaft journalled on said platen, a printing stamp carried by said shaft, a gear on said shaft; a second gear carried by said platen and meshing with said first gear, a roller eccentrically mounted on said second gear and projecting laterally therefrom, a cam member rockably mounted on said apparatus, spring means for rocking said cam member on said apparatus to position said member in the path of said roller as said'platen is moved to cooperating relation with said panel, means for limiting the positioning movement of said cam member, the engagement of said roller with said cam serving to impart a rotation in one direction to said gears to rock said stamp relative to said platen, a coil spring tensioned by the rotation of said gears, a fixed stop carried by said platen, a disk carried by said shaft and rotatable as a unit therewith upon rotation of.

said gears, and a lug on said disk adapted to engage said fixed stop to limit the rotation of said shaft to position said stamp in printing relation with said panel, the movement of said platen away from said panel serving to disconnect said gears from said cam member to render said coil spring effective to rotate said gears and shaft in the opposite direction to rock said stamp relative to said platen and out of printing position.

8. In a photographic printing apparatus formed with a printing panel and a platen movable to and from cooperating relation with said panel, a shaft journalled on said platen, a printing stamp carried by said shaft, a stub shaft on said platen, a second gear mounted on said stub shaft and meshing with said first gear, a coil spring connected to said second gear, a lateralli projecting roller eccentrically mounted on said second gear, a cam member rockably mounted on said apparatus, spring means for moving said cam member in one direction to position it in the path of said roller when said platen is moved toward said panel, a lug on said cam member adapted to engage said apparatus to limit movement of said cam member in one direction, the movement of said platen toward said panel serving to bring said roller into contact with said cam member to impart a rotation of said gears and first shaft in one direction to rock said stamp relative to said platen and to printing relation with said panel, the rotation of said gears serving 10 to tension said coil spring, a fixed stop carried by said platen, a disk carried by said first shaft, a projection on said disk adapted to engage said fixed stop to limit the rotation of said gear train and said first shaft to position the stamp for printing, said cam being adapted to move slightly against the action of its spring means to provide a yieldable stop which cooperates with the fixed stop to position said stamp and to allow said platen to be moved to cooperating relation with said panel, the movement of said platen away from said panel disconnecting said roller from said cam member, the tensioned coil spring then serving to rotate said gears and first shaft in the opposite direction to rock said stamp relative to said platen and out of printing position, and a second projection on said disk adapted to engage said fixed stop to limit the rotation of said gears and first shaft in said other direction.

ROBERT F. SMITH, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,598,957 Chamberlin Sept. 7, 1926 1,684,545 Lasker Sept. 18, 1928 1,716,523 Hopkins June 11, 1929 1,972,618 Barber Sept. 4, 1934 2,415,434 Madden Feb. 11, 1947 

